ἀσώτως (asōtōs)
asōtōs
wildly
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb asōtōs describes a manner of living that is wasteful or prodigal, capturing the reckless squandering of resources. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 15:13, where it modifies the actions of the younger son who takes his share of the inheritance and departs for a distant country.
While English translations often render this as "riotous living," the term does not necessarily imply sexual immorality or drunkenness. Instead, it focuses on the careless disposal of wealth and status. The word derives from asōtos, meaning prodigal or wasteful, pointing to a lifestyle defined by extravagance without regard for future needs.
This single usage highlights the son’s sudden shift from security to ruin. He does not merely spend money; he lives in a way that burns through his fortune rapidly and indiscriminately. The adverb serves as a precise descriptor of excess, setting the stage for the subsequent famine that exposes the emptiness of his choices.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ἀσώτως (asōtōs) paints a vivid picture of reckless spending, appearing only once in Scripture to describe the younger son’s sudden departure into wastefulness. It captures more than simple extravagance; it signifies a careless squandering of resources without regard for future needs. This single occurrence reminds us that true security does not come from accumulating wealth or status, but from trusting in God’s provision.
When we face seasons where our plans seem to unravel or our resources dwindle unexpectedly, this word offers a sobering yet hopeful perspective. It invites us to examine how we manage what has been entrusted to us, encouraging a heart posture of stewardship rather than entitlement. The son’s journey from reckless living to humble return shows that no matter how far we drift through poor choices, grace remains available.
Ultimately, this passage points toward the Father’s readiness to welcome those who turn back. It challenges us to find our identity not in what we possess or spend, but in whose we are. May we walk with wisdom and gratitude, knowing that our true inheritance is secure in Christ alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- prodigally.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀσώτως.1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 15:13
Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
This verse uniquely uses ἀσώτως to describe the younger son's reckless squandering of his inheritance, highlighting the speed and carelessness with which he abandoned his security.